After numerous years of flightsim and VA experience, I completed a new business plan to start up a new VA - true to the motto "as real as it gets". The concept is simple and straight-forward. I want to design an airline that is as close to the reality as it gets, including:- ACARS system (required for all pilots)Dedicated ACARS server- Extensive checkrides, tutorials and training prior to new hire- Dispatch system, based on seniorityDispatch will assign routes based on a ulta-realistic system - flight plans, passenger/cargo count, fuel calculations. Based on random and real-life events (decline after lost crash).- Passenger feedbackPassengers will compliment/complain a la FSPassengers. Numerous complaints will trigger an active investigation of the pilot and disciplinary action. However, everything will be web-based- Realistic flight operations For example: If a pilot flies from A to B, he will have to continue his flight from B. In case of illness or absence, another pilot will be dispached to pick up the plane at point B.Planes will be unavailable for maintenanceVA will only start operations after enough slots have been filled to ensure a smooth startup (about 10 pilots after training)New hubs and flight destinations will be added as soon as the economy or employment allows- Virtual economyPilots will be given an initial salary. A virtual economy will be generated for revenue, cost (ground, maintenance, fuel, etc.). Over time, pilots will be able to buy shares and aircraft ownership- Real fleetStartup fleet will consist of a given number of planes. New planes can only be purchased, if enough revenue is present to but new planes.- Pilots will be hired full-time or part-timeFull-time pilot will be required to fly once a week the assigned route(s) by dispatch. Part-time pilots will be required to fulfill the same duties on a monthly basis.Pilots can be on vacation, sick or have personals days off.No new hires until new planes can be purchased to staff the new pilots.- Random eventsAirport closings due to weather-conditions, random events (strikes, celebreties on board, private charters)- Payware plane support- VATSIM support- and much more...Sounds to good to be true? No, it is not. Everything can be realized, if enough people are available to support the startup and operations.Are you interested in joining the team?Please send applications to [email protected] you.

Sounds interesting...Check your email ;)Cheers,Marc

sounds real good, check your email for my interestciao!Brian S

Haven't heard anything, just wondering if you're still planning on going through with this project? Sounds very promising...Cheers,Marc

Thanks you for the responses. The project is defintitely in the works. I have finalized the business plan and will continue coding next week - most features will be initially available. I would estimate to have an early beta by the end of this month for a closed beta.The great thing about this VA approach is that everything will be modular and can be expanded "on demand". However, the initial training and pilot selection will be realistic and therefore quite challenging.I have high standards and will pay close attention to the design and details - the goal is to re-create everything as realistic as possible.Stay tuned!

Good to hear, looking forward to hearing more about this too. If you need any more help in terms of staff or anything just fire me an email, this sounds like an idea with lot's of potential...-Marcspeedbird0001 earthlink.net

i hope that you got my email?its good to here your keeping work on thisciao!Brian S

Rest assured that the project is in the works. The website will be up by the end of the week with an offical press release and weekly progress reports.The dispatch system will be indeed the most complex dispatch system that has been programmed for a VA. It will feature real-life dispatch elements with "role-playing" elements - all pilot decisions will affect the well-being (or demise) of the airline. Pilots will initially be able to choose their flights from the timetable, based of the availabilty of the plane. As the pilot becomes more proficient with the type rating, he will also receive random flight assignments to boost his rating and revenue for the company.If, for example, a pilot flies only one leg, he will have to stay at the destination until he gets a jumpseat from another collegue -or- if he chooses to redeem miles for the transport back to the hub. This will encourage strategic planning and a sense of community.Pilots will also have a very limited time to complete flights after they have been dispatched. If he doesn't complete the dispatched flight in that time frame, the plane will be released again and it will affect the pilots rating. In-air planes can obviously not be flown. As in real-life, dispatch will generate a flight plan, based on current weather conditions, passenger/cargo load, type of aircraft and will perform fuel calculations.Pilots will also receive in-house email, messages and updates via the company supplied PDA-stlye system. The system will also feature a complete database of the necessary manuals and charts to safely operate the plane. No more looking for approach charts!In the future, I also envision a FS2Crew-like interface for load sheets and fuel slips and simulated failures.ACARS/Automated Pirep system is mandatory for all flights. The system will also features a two-way message system for simulated emergencies. Every pilot will also be type-rated and need to stay current with their certifactions. Other VAs give you automatically the opportunity to fly the "big birds" when you successfully fly x hours/flights or offer you a rather usless pilot rating that does not really show your proficiency or does not really "offer" you a new level of flight-simming experience. Not so here. I will be a privilege and very hard to join our team in the first place. Not every application will automatically ensure employment.Stay tuned.

PRESS RELEASEPlease view http://www.flystart.net for the first official press release.Comments, suggestions and critique is certainly appreciated!Patrick AlexanderCEO

Hi Pat,looking forward to see your site go hot.1 point which i noticed:...........................QUOTE:START Airways is a virtual flight carrierICAO: STRT, IATA: STX...........................As far as i know, the ICAO-code has only 3 digits,and the IATA only 2.So keep on workin' :-luke

Ah, sorry forgot to say,good decision on the hubs and aircrafts (2 thumbs up):-luke